NEW figures have revealed the number of young people unemployed in Coventry has rocketed over the past four years.

A report from The Prince’s Trust, released today, found the number claiming jobseeker’s allowance for six months or more has gone up by 168 per cent since 2008.

In August 2008,390 people aged under 24 were claiming, while in 2012 the figure was 1,045.

The charity is hosting a live-streamed youth forum today in an attempt to reach out to young people struggling to find work.

Against The Odds will be broadcast on The Prince’s Trust Facebook page today at 2pm.

The trust has released its report to coincide with the latest unemployment figures, which are also being announced today.

Responding to the rise in youth unemployment in the city, Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Of Commerce, said: “The figures surrounding youth unemployment have not made pleasant reading over recent months and this latest study bears out what a serious issue this has become.

“That said, we have seen a rise in private sector employment recently and also a real drive to get more young people taking up apprenticeships.

“The government can still do more to give businesses the freedom to take on new staff – particularly young people. Lord Digby Jones made the point at our annual conference recently that businesses shouldn’t be taxed for employing people, through National Insurance.

“They might not yet be ready to make a profit, because they are in their early stages, but may need to take people on to grow to a point where they become profitable. That is when, he said, they should be taxed.

“Also, I would urge young people to look into the idea of starting their own business. It is not for everybody, but there is help and support available to get started and, here at the chamber, we can certainly provide assistance to those who want to start their own company.”

Against The Odds will give young people the chance to have their questions answered by a panel of Prince’s Trust ambassadors. There will also be a question and answer session on Twitter.